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The Estrada Effect

Updated Oct. 31, 2007 12:01 a.m. ET

It took more than six years to try former Philippine President Joseph Estrada for plunder. It took barely six weeks for current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to pardon him after his conviction. While that's her prerogative, the signal it sends about the battle on corruption in Manila isn't encouraging.

Mr. Estrada was charged in 2001 with enriching himself to the tune of $93 million through various schemes such as kickbacks from an illegal gambling operation while he was president from 1998 to 2001. The verdict handed down...